Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-04-21
Thursday, April 81, 1887.


childs play before them inBelmont coun-
ty.nor in the State of Ohio,the coming su-
tunn. They had better appreciate that
fac. now than in November.
While the National administration is
far from what Republicans would have
il. and while in very many respects it
is assailable, yet it is the height of un-
wisdom to conclude that it has no strong
points, and that the people will easily
set down upon 1t when they have an
opportunity.
Independent of that, and beyond
questions that have heretofore divided
the great parties of the country. there
are matters arising out Of labor agita>
tion,the temperance question. concerning
our public works. the railways, and 9TH
er corporations, which may seriously
imperil continued Republican ascend.
cy, unless met and treated in such man
ner as to inspire public confidence. The
disposition to grab the banks Of canals
upon which to lay railway tracks, and
the apparent indifference with which
men look upon such robbsry,-our al
most helpless condition as to the regu>
Iation of the liquor traffic, hamstrung
as we are by constitution which was
apparently framed with a view to make
the traffic proitable-the stealthy strides
of the great Standard Oil octopus. which
has its headquarters in this State
complications which may arise concern
ing railway transportation within the
State, under the new order of things,
and other matters of local nature, will
demand the highest order of judgment
and integrity in the administration of
affairs.
A Legislature and important State
officers are to be chosen. Chief
among the latter, and, indeed, the
most important officer in the State, ex-
cept the judges. is that of Auditor. If
the party has man after the build of
John Brough, John Woods, or Robert
w. Tayler, it should bring him forward.
The almost despairing cry of the people
is for men in public place above the lev
ell of the demagogue and plsce-hunter-
men of opinion and will-who will
administer public trust intelligently.
and for the best interests of all the peo-
pie. That is the meaning of the rest
lessness among thoughtful people in the
ranks of the old parties. and of their
apparent indifference.
The Republican party, in its incep>
tion, was party of conscience. 1t went
into the fray with ideas inscribed upon
its banners. teaching the loftiest patri+
otism and humanity-and it was invin+
chile. More than any other political or
ganizstion in the history of the country.
it was the party OF the People. Once it
descends from that to the level of the
place-hunter and demagogue. its useful
ness is gone, its proud banners, INSOFAR
ably connected with the most illustrious
period of the countrys history, can be
folded and put away, and the country
turned over to the control of dema-
gogus aud apprentices in the science Of
government.
This need not be, if Republicans-the
great mass of whom are intent upon
their private business affairs-will give
heed to the necessities of the hour, and
TO the requirement that all good men
shall interest themselves and assist in
obtaining good government.
We believe that political organization
which carried the country successfully
through the greatest war of modern
times, maintained its credit, cared for
its soldiers and their families,a and under
whose administration no country has
enjoyed such prosperity since govern
ments were oganized among men, is
equal to the needs of the present hour.
In State affairs, no other organization
has shown anycapacity whatever to grap-
pie with the liquor traffic. Under so-called
Democratic administration it was prac-
tically unrestrsined. Under eDactments
of Republican Legislature it is heav+
lily taxed. thousands of liquor shops
wholly closed, and in villages where
public sentiment demands, the traffic
entirely suspended. If the party can
not be depended upon in matters con-
cerning corporations and labor. certain
ly the so-called Democratic party can
not.
We repeat: All Republicans who are
interested in good government should
take unusual interest in affairs this
year, and should insist that good men
represent them in conventions. and that
conventions present a superior class of
men for public place.
THIS is fair sample of the way the